18 days to the start of the presidential campaign, the source of funding for the campaigns of the top candidates remains a mystery. They have not disclosed how they will raise the money they need to sell their programs to voters.

According to the timetable of the Independent Electoral Commission, campaigns for next year's presidential election will begin on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.

The logistics of presidential campaigns are often complex. For example, candidates and party leaders travel to all states' capitals to address rallies. They sell their manifestos and mobilize supporters to these rallies.

Section 88 of 2022's Electoral Act sets the limit on the amount a presidential candidate may spend to conduct an election at N5bn. However, the maximum donation an individual or entity can make to the candidate is N50m.

However, responding to inquiries from Saturday PUNCH on the sources of funding for the 2023 presidential poll, the Director of Media and Publicity for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said the party candidate’s strategy of raising funds for his campaign was not for media consumption.

He said, “Why should we be discussing that on the pages of newspapers? I can’t say anything. You will have to wait until a fundraising committee has been set up. Our directorate of the presidential campaign council is not dealing with all issues.

“But when members of the fund raising committee come on board, you will know the right person to ask that question. Until that is done, we can’t tell you anything on how we hope to raise funds.”